




.d 
























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EITHI^^E; 

OR, 

THE SIEGE OF ARMAGH 

A DRAMA, IN FOUR ACTS. 

BY JOHN A. LAl^IGAISr. 

» I 

AUTHOR OF 

"THE ORPHAN'S REVENGE,-' " THE DUMB GIRL OF KEN- 
TUCKY," &c., &c. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

A description of Costumes — Dramatis Persons, and Stage Business, 



Siol Erin na gorm lann go hragh. 



BUFFALO: , 

EXPRESS STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, 

Ik East Swan Streets 
1872. 






DKAMATIS PEESOjSr^. 



Hugh O'Neil, Earl of Tyrone. 
Edward Fitzpatrick, CapL under 

O'Neil. 
Oliver M'Guire, a 'priest 
Teddy O'Hare, an Irish spy. 
Patrick Ryax, a sick lad. 
Owen Roe O'Connor, an lo'ish 

. Chieftain. 
Angus MacDonald, a friend to the 
Irish. 



EiTHS-E, daughter of RuGB. O'Neil. 

Nora O'Connor, loife of Owpn 
and friend to Eithne. 

Bridget Eyan, mother of Fa.trwk. 

Pauline, daughter ofi^onx O'Con- 
nor. 

Mary, a servant maid. 

Guards, soldiers, children, dtc, 



Snt John Norris, Commander of 

the English. 
General Norris, his brother. 
Wm. Monroe, Major under Xorris. 
Seagrave, Sergeant of the guard, 
Capt. Le Gros, Capt. of the guard, 

naturally very lean. 
David Bustle, an inn-keeper. 
Jailors, guards, soldiers, heralds 
and others. 



Lady Norris, icife of Sir John. 
Louise, General Norris' daugh- 
ter. 
Hagar, a witch. 

Servants, maids, dtc. 



COSTUMES 



(TIME OF ELIZABETH.) 

IRISH. 

Hugh O'Neil. — Green velvet coat with gold trimmings, gold belt, gold 
tassels, ruffle-bosom shirt, and collar, brown 
trunks, high boots, spurs, sword, and feathered 
hat. 

Edward Fitzpatrick.— .Similar to O'Neil's, but not so ela'borate. 
Black belt, and no spurs. 

Owen Roe O'Connor. — Same as Fitzpatrick; grey trunks, snuff color 
tights. 

Teddy O'Hare.— Green-black coat, coarse drab waistcoat, corduroy- 
breeches, blue hose, brogues, and old slouch hat, 
any kind of a shirt. 

Patrick Ryan. — A short night-drawers, colored shirt, and blue stock- 
ings. 

Oliver M'Guike. — A long sutan, black hose and breeches, sandals, 
wide brim felt hat, and Roman collar, a short 
rope around his waist and hanging down by his 
side. 

Angus MacDoxald. — Plaid vest, belt and tartan, glengary cap. 

EiTHNE. — Short green satin dress with velvet trimmings, low neck and 
wide sleeves, a large satin scarf with gold lace at 
each end, thrown across her shoulders and 
hanging down by her side, an elaborate gold and 
black belt with large clasps around her waist, a 
gilt ring around her head and flowing golden 
hair, around her neck a pearl prayer beads with 
cross. 

Nora O'Connor. — Long rich black velvet dress, according to the style 
of that period. 

Pauline. — Short light dress with rich trimmings. 



COSTUMES. 

Bridget Ktam. — An old calico dress, any dark color, and white night 

cap. 
Soldiers.— Green tunics, and drab tights, armour, &c. | 

ENGLISH. 

Sir John Norris. — {1st dress.) Pink tights and sandals, drab velvet 
trunks, rich crimson velvet coat with gold trim- 
mings, red damask waistcoat, Queen Elizabeth 
collar. {2d dress.) Loose red tunic down to 
knees, trimmed with gold, long sieves, same 
collar, plumed hat, and same tights. 

General Norris. — Same as Sir John's second dress, but not so 
elaborate, high boots and Shaksperian collar. 

Wm. Monroe. — Dress of the time. 

Capt. LeGros. — Ibid. Red nose, wrinkled forehead, &c. 

Seagrave. — Armour of ihe time. 

Lady Norris. — Long blue silk dress richly trimmed and point lace, 
v/ide sleeves. 

Louise. — Short crimson velvet dress, tight sleeves, a loose blue satin 
cape with white plush trimming, with white 
strings to tie it over the shoulders. 

Hagar. — Any old dress, with large cloak, and kerchief around the 
head. 
Herald, Soldiers, Inn-keeper, Servants, &c., dresses of the time. 



PREFACE. 



This drama, written at the request of some friends, might, with pro- 
priety, be called an impromptu. It is founded on a few incidents in 
that unhallowed period, the reign of Elizabeth of England, and the au- 
thor has endeavored to follow history as accurately as possible. I 
might also state, that, in this drama, though Irish, the reader need not 
expect to find any such characters as '"Paddy Miles," "Handy Andy," 
and others of that stamp, which have won such extensive favor on our 
stages. On the contrary, these the author has purposely avoided, for 
it is his wish to raise the Irish character from the low, insipid burlesque 
that pervades the Irish drama. There are very few Irish plays of the 
present day, no matter how high their pretentious, that do not intro- 
duce to you some ridiculous personage. The fact is this: The gener- 
ality of so called dramatists, are merely sensational and venal scrib- 
blers, without any shadow of a claim to literary merit, who, in their 
eagerness to paint Irish wit and humor, fall into a grievous sin 
against truth. They represent Irishmen as we never saw or wish to 
see them. Their creations would never be recognized by the good old 
sons of the blue steel, and certainly we do not claim them as our breth- 
ren. They are beings merely of their own corrupt imaginations, play- 
ing a part almost as ridiculous as that of the authors who placed them 
there. They have them walking as none others walk, using a language 
that might as easily be taken for Chinese as for English. They swear 
and plaspheme as if by a necessity of their natures; get into difficul- 
ties and out of them with astonishing facility, perform feats that are 
certainly above the known faculties of man, and at th,e same moment 
ask questions or make remarks, from which we should judge that they 
belong to that class of existing beings generally known as irrational 
aniraals. In a word, in their attempts at the delineation of Irish char- 



8 PREFACE. 

acter, they are not faithful to truth, they are not natural, they merely 
daub the picture, thereby doing a great injustice to the otherwise gener- 
ous, kind, respectable and witty Irish character. And now, assuming the 
right to criticise my own work, (a right which of course will be used with 
moderation,) lest the reader may be tempted to take exception to Ted 
OHare, who figures so prominently in this drama, I have this to say: 
I do not attribute to him any greater fund of wit than a knowledge of, 
the Irish character will justify. Ted is an uneducated, but, ingenuous! 
Irishman, devoted to the cause of his country. If he indulge at timegl 
in strong language, it is only in the excitement of the moment, and it isf 
not calculated to bring a blush to the cheek of the most modest female. 
As to his actions, we think that he might walk the streets of our city, 
without attracting any marked attention. With these introductory 
remarks I conclude, and with a polite salutation to the critics, I take the 
liberty of introducing Eithne: or, The Siege of Armagh. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D. 1872, 

BY JOHN A. I.ANIGAN, 

in the office of the Librarian of CongrcBS, at Washington, D. C 



EITHNE ; 

OR, 

THE SIEGE OF ARMAGH. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. — Armagh. A room in the house 0/ Sir John Norris; a 
table R. c. ; Sir J. seated alone hy it, meditating. 

Sir J Wbj doth my soul thus languish, when around me 
All seems alive? and whence this fervid feeling 
Of silent dread, commingled with heart-longing? 
I know that in my life full many things 
Were wrought by me, for which I anght atone; 
And even now I might be more at peace 
With Him above. But why se more than ever; 
Doth my heart, saddened by fears, now weigh me ? 
Have I not oft before pressed on to battle, 
Heading my thousands through the bowels of war? 
Yea, and cities without number fell before me, 
And the loud peal of the alarum told 
Norris was at hand 4 Or can this last stroke blot 
The glorious Victories of so many years? 
Victories that made proud princes fear 
The power that smote them with relentless hate. 
Yet, in my breast I feel a stirring dread 
That breathes around my heart a chilly air; 
Conscience, no doubt, the moralist would say; 
But I cannot recall one single deed 
That might in any way explain the cause 
Of this inburning. 

Unier Lady Norris. 

Lady iV Ah, Sir John, what weep you ? 

Sir J Nothing, my lady. 



10 eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 

Lady N Nay, then, why so pale? 

Thou seemest like a faded parchment sheet, 

Cast in the heat of suns for twenty days. 

Now tell me, husband, if aught wakes thy care, 

And makes thee sorrow, why should I not share 

That half which I am heir to ? 
Sir J Ay, indeed, 

What thou hast spoken is the very truth ; 

And if my breast contained the slightest grief. 

To thee most willingly would I unfold 

Its secret pangs, and sue thee for thy counsel. 

But the thoughts which now enburden me 

Are merely workings of the sultry air 

Upon my fiery spirit. 
Lady N ' More than this; 

I fear that thou dost wrong me of a part. 

Which is by right of marriage justly due me. 
Sir J And what is that ? 
Lady N The right to know thy heart, 

And share its burdens. 
Sir J Nay, then, since thou wilt, 

Hear me, my lady, and my gloomy thoughts 

Will be dark inmates of thy snow-white breast. 

But hush, who's here, that wastes his leather so, 

And beats our carpet like an iron stair? 

Enter a Herald. 

How now, why haste thee ? 
Mess Ah, my lord, to thee ; 

The rebels are in Dundalk, and they march 

On to this city. What course are we to take ? 
Sir J Hast thou heard aught of what their number is ? 
Mess Yea, Sir John, five thousand. 
Sir J Then away ; j 

Speed thee to my brother, let him kno"w; I 

The fact, as you have told it unto me; I 

Bid him prepare the garrison, and call I 

The scattered troops within the fort. \^Exit Herald. 

My lady, 

This is a sorry day to us, I fear; 

The enemy so near; yet all our troops, 

Foot and horse, do not amount to that. 
Lady N Despair not, Sir John, for yet there may be hope, 

How oft before hast thou the same fate met, 

And yet, hast been the victor. 
Sir J True, but now 

There seems an inner fear I know not of. 

That holds full sway within me, and I dread 

The man I have to meet with. 



eithne; or, the siege of armagth. 11 

Lady N Who is he ? . 

Sir J O'Neil, the Chief of Ulster, whose great deeds 
Have won for him the love of all his men, 
Which same, would give their very heart's blood out, 
Before they'd see him want a moment's aid. 

Enter a Servant. 

Ser A Lady waits your leisure. Sir, below. 

Sir J What seeks she of me ? 

Sir J I know not, Sir John ; 

Apitious looking wretch she is, and seems 

As if her soul were lord of some great secret. 

Her eyes are small, and of a greenish cast; 

Methought she'd analyze my very soul, 

She eyed me so. 
Lady N Pray, who then can she be ? 

Ser In faith, my lady, that's a thought to me 

Which seems a mystery. 
Sir J Is she old or young? 

Ser Young, indeed? she's like a roasted pippin, 

And shivers like a spittle on a red hot stove. 
Sir J Then show her up. [^Exit Servant. 

What can she want of me? 
Lady N Perhaps, Sir John, she means to do thee harm. 
Sir J I fear her not, but should I need some help 

Be sure to have a servant in the hall; 

Thou may'st await me in another room — 

I'll join thee instantly. 
Lady N And then may I go 

With thee into the fort? 
Sir J As you may wish; 

But if the choice were mine, for thine own good, 

I'd rather see thee here, where thou art safe. 
Lady N Safer by far am I, to be with thee, 

Thou sole possessor of my heart and hand, 

Than all the walls that masonry could rear 

For my protection. 
Sir J Then, indeed, thou'lt go — 

But hark! I hear her hobbling up the stairs, 

So now be haste and ready. 

[6'/ie kisses him. Exit Lady Norris. 
Sir J (Soliloquizing.) Small green eyes; 

That same proves her deceitful, yet, perhaps. 

The Avoman means me good; why do I tremble, 

As though each moment bore me secret pains? 

lime! there is a gathering in thy womb. 
And thou wilt some day bea-r me good or ill; 

1 know thou art not barren, for I feel 
Within me the fore-knowledge of thy fruit. 



12 eithxe; ok, the siege of akmagh. 

Enter Hagar. 

Jlag Good cheer to your Excellency. 

Sir J Thanks, friend. 

Hag Ah, friend, thou hast said right, I am indeed. 

Sir J I hear you wish to speak with me ? 

Kag Tis true. 

Sir J Say on, then, for my time is very precious. 

lla^ Not more so than you'll deem me after now. 

Sir J How now, who art thou ? 

Hag One who'll serve thy ends 

Far better than the best of men. 
Sir J Pray how 1 

Hag Of course, thou knowest of the coming foe ? 
Sir J Well do I. 

Hag Well, their leader has a daughter. 

Sir J Vt^hatof it? 
Hag I will bring her here to thee 

Within six hours from hence, if thou wilt lend 

What aid I will require. 
Sir J Say what thou wilt. 

Hag First know me; thou hast heard, no doubt, of Hagar, 

The English witch ? whose power none dare dispute. 
Sir cT I have. 
Hag Then I am she; and once I wrought 

Black curses on some persons of this town. 

Who did me injury; and these same applied 

To Papist priests, who, with their holy water, 

Sprinkled them o'er, and spake in words of Latin 

Some lengthy prayer. Then raising up their hands 

Formed crosses on their heads, and raised the charm; 

So I have sworn to be revenged on them. 

If it cost me years of toil, and lastly, death. 
Sir J Good! 
Hag Then let me have two guards, and soon 

I'll bring the maiden to you, do you mind ? 
Sir J Ay, well do I, and you shall have the men ; 

But is the maid handsome? 
Ha^ As a flower of Eden, 

And hath two eyes as blue as hollow heaven ; 

With lips that breathe the very soul of music. 
Sir J Ah, she's a jewel, and a prize worth having. 
Hag \^Aside.'] And you Avill pay a goodly price to have her. 
Sir J But say, you did not tell me how you'll take her. 
Hag No matter, that with me; I know ten tricks 

To every one you dream of. 
Sir J Right, then, so; 

How much will be your price ? 
Hag Ah, that's the key. 

My charges will be slight — one hundred poundg, 



^ 



eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. IS- 

A paltry sum to pay for such a face ; 

It should be thrice as much, but let it pass, 

Revenge is worth the rest. 
Sir J Then be it so; 

One hundred pounds. 
Hag And wilt thou see me safe, 

Should danger chance to wander in my path? 

For mayhap thine own guards would capture me, 

And then the scheme were lost. 
Sir J Thou need'st ne fear; 

My guards will all have knowledge of the fact, 

And lie in waiting at th' appointed time. 
Ilaq Tis sealed, now, so I must get me off, 

A long good day, and may you well sacceed. 

Strike deep your sword, nor leave your work half done, 

For snakes half killed may yet live o'er again 

To reap revenge upon their persecutors. 

Adieu — Adieu; lAside.^ how demons hug in hata-ed. 

[Exit Hagar. 
Sir J This woman seems to hold a serpent's tongue, 

There's poison in her eye; yet for my end. 

None better could I have. gracious fate ! 

How glorious is the onset, let me see : 

To hold her hostage, that indeed were good, 

But yet there is far better in the wind. 

One cannot count the day's haps in the morn, 

Nor swear he'll catch a fish at every bite ; 

Then let me not be sanguine, lest I fail 

In what I undertake; for two much joy 

Steals away the senses. [An alarum sounds. 

Hark! what's that? 

So soon the alarum sounds, I must away — 

My heart beats like the low, deep roll of war; 

I have a silent tremor in my soul; 

Yet here's for death or glory. [Exit 



SCENE n. — A street in Armagh. Enter Monroe, r. and Sir John 

NORRIS, L. 

Sir J Good day, Monroe, hast heard the news ? 
Mon Not I. 

Sir J Then make thou ready, all within thy care. 

For even now the rebels are away 

Scarce seven miles, and face this town. To-day 

All Armagh shall be alive, and thou 

Must keep a guard at every public place. 

And mark me. Major, should these Irish dogs 

Give aught to thee of trouble, mow them down 

lake grass before the scythe. 



14 eithxe; or, the siege of armagh. 

Mon Indeed, Sir John, 

So will I. 
:Sir J See the walls be guarded well; r 

Send forth a spy to mark their line of march; 

Be thou shrewd, nor let an inkling pass 

That may hereafter serve you, grasp at words 

As though each one contained a ball of gold; 

Let not these Papist reptiles win thy mind 

By sage devices formed to capture thee, 

But rather let thy plan of action be 

Firm and decisive. 
Mon You shall find me so; 

And may I lose the power of my right arm, 

If ever Papist plot, or Irish scheme 

Hath power enough to catch me in its snare. 

Nay, noble sir, within me I have here 

A spirit that would mount the lofty skies, 

But.for this cell of flesh that bids it still. 

Yea, and throughout this isle they '11 dread my sword, 

As did they thine, not many months ago. 

Let Erin's sons beware ; for though to-day 

They boast their puny strength, yet one day more 

And all their famished power will see its end. 

But that won't stay me, Irish blood will flow — 

A crimson river winding round Armagh. 
Sir J Well said, my friend; but see, my herald comes. 

Enter Herald, l. 

"Well, hast thou given my message? 
Her Yes, Sir John. 

Sir J And hast no answer? 
Her Yea. 

Sir J And why not speak? 

What has the General said ? 
Her He bade me go. 

And bear the tidings to the several forts. 

He also hath despatched a corps of spies 

To sound th' alarum when the foe approach. 
Sir J Then go thou quickly, and spread out the news. 

That all may be prepared. lExit Herald. 

And now, Monroe, 

Let 's off unto the tower, and see to things. 

That we may pour our rage in fiery death notes. \_Exeuntj r. 

Enter Priest and Boy, l. 

Pr This way, you say the house is ? 

Boy Yes, your Reverence; 

Near to yonder alley, where you see 

The road bend to the left. 



eithne; or. the siege of Armagh. 15 

Pr The low brown house ? 

Boy Ay, so. 

Pr Then let us haste away from here, 

For there along the street a band of men, 
Ay, armed soldiers, march on toward this spot. 
I see them eye me with peculiar whim, 
As if suspicion aided them to see. 

Boy Then, Father, best we go ? 

Pr E'en so, my son, 

But yet let's guard our pace, that it may seem 

Not over-hasty; lest they track our path. \_Exeunt, r. 

Enter Capt. Le Gros and Company, l. 

Capt Halt ! left face ! now, then, wait awhile. 
A noble band of soldiers here I've got. 
None better hath the queen, than these same men; 
See how each valiant stripling stoops his head, 
That proves he thinks the more, and plans his acts. 
Then see my staunch old veterans, how they stand. 
With heads erect; so much for long experience. 
Many years have these fought for their queen; 
On through the flaming elements of war. 
Headed by me, the bravest of the brave. 
When fire of cannons made the field a hell. 
Oh, daring children of the mighty Mars, 
How ye have fought, and bled, and even died. 
No man can tell but I. Yes, ye are brave. 
And so will all who know you say the same; 
Have you not oft, when bloody wars have raged, 
Brought forth yourselves into the rear of action, 
Which all men know is far the most exposed ; 
For when the heat of battle is in front. 
Those in the rear are most apt to catch cold. 
Is it not so ? 

All It is, indeed, good sir. 

Capt And so it shall be ! Come, we must away ; 

But look ye, who comes hither, with his mouth 
Cock'd to'the skies, and whistling treason airs? 
Enter Teddy O'Hare, ichisiling '^Patrick's Day,^^ R. 

Say fellow, who art thou ? 

[O'Hare continues vMstlmg. 
Confound his face ! 
The man won't even notice me. Be still! 
[Capt. strikes O'Hare on the stomach icith his hand, O'Hare jumps^ 
looks at Capt., and then runs at him as if to strike him; Capt. hacks 
away from him.'] 

Ah! back from me, vile man, or I will set 
My army in upon thee. Seize him, men ! 

\_They all catch hold 0/ O'Hare. 



16 eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 

Ted \^Aside.'] Bedad, an' I've put my foot iu it now. 
Capt Well now, sir, give thy name. 
Ted ' My name ? 

1st Sol Yes, sir, thy name. 

Ted [jTo soldier.'] Howld yer tongue! or I'll put a head on ye, as 
big as a forty shillin' pot. 

[Soldier presents gun at Ted, loho makes grimaces in return at 
soldier.'] 

[ To Capt.] Av I towld ye me name, by me soukens an' ye'd 
be sorry ye ever met me. 
Capt Nay, then, who art thou ? 
Ted Yirrah misha, its myself that thinks yer blind, or av yer not, 

thin sure ye must be foolish. 
Capt Ah! what sayest thou, fool to me, indeed? 

Back with these words, or I will stab thee down. 
And make a door within thy craven breast. 
Through which I'll drag thy venomous black heart. 
To make a mince-meat pie for all my men. 
Ted Arrah, an' ye won't do all that yerself now, will ye ? Maybe 
ye won't be so smart, afther all. Do you know, sir, or have 
ye the minutest idea o' the person you sthand before ? 
Ca2:>t A wooden-headed Paddy, I should say. 

Ted Ye should, should ye; well, av that's what J am, egad, an' 
yure a great dale worse, ye ill-begotten, half-stharved, 
dhrag'd up, thrans-plauted sassenach — That's what ye are. 
Cajyt Sir, we have no time to prate with thee ; 

Give us thy name, or we shall bear thee off 
Before the General, ere an hour is past. 
Ted Egad, an' it won't take ye long to do that, fur the Gineral has 
just sint me on an arrant to the fort bey ant. Do yese doubt 
my word? Thin av yese do — There's the Gineral now, 
along the strate there; so cum, now, an' I'll make yese pay 
dear for sthoppin' me. 
Cajyt Oh! no, no, don't do that; we ask thy pardon! 
Ted I will, I tell ye. [Calling.] Say ! cum here, sir! 
Capt No, no, I pray thee, do not so, good sir? ^ 

I beg thy mercy, noble sir, but then 
Thy dress and speech conceal thy name. 
Ted "Well, I forgive ye, but on these conditions — 
Capt Whatever you say, good sir, it shall be done. 
Ted All right; have ye got a pistol about ye? 
Cajyt Ay, two of them. 
Ted Thin give me one, I forgot mine. 
Capt You shall have it. [Grlves him pistol. 

Well, what will you next ? 
Ted Clear otf, now, as fast as ye can, an' don't let anybody see 
ye; and whin ye cum to a lonesome place, ye can blow 
out yer own brains, av yer have any. 
^apt It shall be done. 



eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 17 

Ttd Go off, thin, immadiatelj. {Exeunt Soldiers and Capt. 

Arrah, an' I fooled thim fellows, anyhow; 
av I do the same to thim all, be me troth an' we '11 make a 
fine thing of it. Helloa, there 's another gang o' thim blag- 
guards over beyant there, near Pat Dolan's; Egad an' I 
must be gettin' otf out o" this, or they '11 catch me. [^Exit l. 



SCENE III.— Inferior o/ Bridget Ryan's aome\ a door, L. c. Patrick 
Ryan discovered in bed, R. ; Bridget is sitting on stool beside him 
— a table with medicine on it, &c. 

Fat Mother? 

Brid What, now, mavourneen? 

Pat Mother, I say? 

Brid Pm here, acushla, what is it you want ? 

Fat Has the priest come ? 

Brid Not yet, but soon he will. 

Fat Oh, I wish he 'd hasten, for I feel 

As if my soul were ready at this hour 

To mount into the skies and dwell in peace. 

But here within my mind there is a sin, 

The jailor of my spirit, and it stands 

And darkens up the gateway of my happiness. 

Brid The sin of which you speak is but a fault, 
Which fear doth magnify. 

Fat Ay. would 't were so : 

Alas ! oh, mother, you little know my heart. 

Brid How so. my boy; now tell me what you think. 

Fat Not now, dear mother, not now: another time, 
When I am more at ease ; I feel a some one 
Knocking at my heart; he speaks to me, 
WTiat is 't he says? hark! listen! hear you not? 
He whispers in mine ear, with honeyed words. 
That sound like a whispering angel's voice, ao soft. 
But no! look, look! -what hidious form is this, 
That rises by my bedside ? dark and tall. 
With haggard eyes that shine like burning coals. 
And eat my soul out with their piercing darts ; 
Ye Powers! he beckons me, his face is black; 
Look at his sunken jaws and high cheek bones. ' 
His fleshless arms that weap their burning marrow; 
And clasp a hollow bosom. Gaze thou there! 
From out his crimson mouth a tongue of flame 
Bursts forth, whose horrid odor stops my breath; 
A dark, black shroud enwraps his waist.' He makea 
Me shudder, and I dream eternal hell. 
Again he speaks; Lend me Thy aid, Lord, 
Great Soverign Saviour of the dead and living. 



i 



1 



K^^Z^!^ 

eithne; ok, the siege of Armagh.- 

Brid What is't you say? my God the poor boy raves; 

Speak, Patrick, dear, and tell me what you see ; 
Pai iWithout heeding.'] Is that what I'd receive for pleading thee? 

Thine's a wretched offer, cursed demon, 

Such as would please a narrow-minded fool ; 

Give me eternal torment with those men 

That so blaspheme their God, if I do wrong; 

Add me, another, to thy haled slaves; 

Put me in hell to burn and never die? 

Away, and get thee to those loved retreats 

Of down below, which you so highly prize; 

Mine shall be with my God. 
Brid 0, Gracious Heaven ! 

My son has lost his mind. 
Pat J^ay? mother, nay! 

If I had lost my mind, I would not now 

Have been the victor over Lucifer. 
Brid Pray tell me what you mean ? you seem to me 

As one distracted, for you fight the air. 
Pai And there are in the air of which you know not. 

He to whom I've spoken was the devil. 

Who comes to taunt me with his poisoned tongue; 

He thrusts his cursed image up before me, 

And begs me sin; but when I do refuse, 

I see his^ fiery eyes gleam crimson red, 

And from his mouth a gush of flame flies forth, 

That fills the room with a thick brimstone odor. 

Each day he tampers with me to succumb, 

Promising pleasant moments while I live; 

But ah, his work is vain, and I am deaf 

To his entreaties, so I beat him off; 

For when I raise my hand up in the air, 

And form the holy cross upon my brow. 

This makes him tremble, and he hides his face, 

Because he cannot tempt me to do wrong. 

And then I see my guardian angel rise. 

Beat him away and cry, the day is thine. [a knock is heard. 

Thank heaven he's come at last. 

Enter Priest and Boy. 

Pr God bless all here! 

Pat Ah, father, thou art welccaue. 

Pr Peace to you. 

All Eh, father, thou art welcome twenty times. 

Pr Peace to you all ; and thou art sick, my son ? 

Pai Yes, father, Pm sick at heart, and would confess. 

Pr , Then be it so ; [fo aW] now ye may leave us here, 

I'll call ye when we've done. lExeimt all. 

And now, my son, 



EITHyE; OR, THE SIEGE OF ARMAGH, 19 

Let me hear thee, for we've not much time ; 

The guards parade the streets, and every square 
f Hath got a sentry. stationed on the corner. 

I saw along the street, as I came here, 

An armed band of troopers ; thanks to luck, 

I baffled them at last, and now am safe. 
Pat Safe, by my faith, thou art, while I have life, 

And when I'm dead then God will find another. 
Pr Thou speakest well; may peace reign in thy soul. 

Enter Seagrave, followed by Soldiers. 

Seri He's here ! he's here ! we've caught him now, at last. * 

Pr What mean you ? 

Sea Thou wilt find it out anon, 

Thou art a priest ? 
Pr Thank God ! thou speakest true. 

Sea Then we are ordered to seize every jwdest 

We find within our walls; so in the mme 

Of our most gracious Queen, we take thee prisoner. 
Pr Of what am I accused? i^- 

Sea Of all that's vile; 

Thy very name denotes thou art a knave, 

Therefore thou art an enemy of good, 

And hence, we deem thee rebel. Wilt give in ? 
Pat No! never! I would rather see him die 

Before my eyes, a free and honored death, 

Than live a slave to any cursed queen. 
Sea Who is this fellow barking out his breath, 

In empty rage, from out consumptive jaws ? 
1st Sol Some vain, hot-headed Papist, I dare say. 
Pat In that thou sayest right, and I will show 

I'm worthy of the name; let no man dare 

To harm one hair of this man's holy head. 

Else he shall die the death his crime deserves. 
Sea Don't heed the fellow, he's an Irish fool, 

Nor hath of brains enough to spell his name. 

Go, seize the Papist! why thus loose our time 

In idle talk ? the fish is worth the bait. 

[Tliey riish on theFniEST. Patrick springs from the bed and strikes 
the Ist soldier, who staggers back.2 

Pat Back, back ! ye cubs of Satan, get ye back. 

Or I will drive my arm athrough your breasts: 
AVhat harm hath this man done that ye would seek 
His very heart's blood; tell me this, ye dastards? 
Dare ye, audacious cowards, lay vile hands 
Upon the sacred person of a priest? 
Down, down upon yf)ur knees, and ask of God, 
Whom ye have so oflfended in your hearts, 



20 eithxe; or, the siege of Armagh. , 

Pardon for your vile ignoble crime. 

Do ye not hear? then down! be down, I say! 

Or I will rend asunder at your eyes 

The very chords that bind your wretched hearts. 

Let him come on who will, but mark my words, 

That man must trample on my sacred corpse, 

Ere he can harm this priest. 
Sea Oh, strike him down, 

What care ye for the fool, one sickly man 

To keep you from the favor of a queen ! 

He is not worth a soldier's name who thinks, 

When majesty commands to strike. 
Pat Ay, so! 

That man's not worth his mother's bearing throes, 

Who will not fight for God and His anointed. 

Yes, I am weal^k arm, but strong in faith. 

And God will s^The safe. 
1st Sol Yea, safe in hell. [stabs him. 

Pat Good heavens! thef^'ve done for me. To Thee, God 

1 now commend Thy servant. [He falls. Priest absolves him. 
Sea Seize the Priest. 

Pat Not yet! not yet; my last breath still remains. 
\st Sol Then give it forth ! don't keep the devil waiting. 

[Stabs him again.. 
Pat There are more devils than one await that breath ; 

That blow will be returned to thee at Judgment. [He dies. 



i 
A C T I I. I 

i 
SCENE I. — The Irish camp. A sheet in — Music. Soldiers discovered \ 

carousing and singing. A table, l. Ted. O'Hare among them. 
First Soldier, Song. 

Come, let us be merry, my boys, 

And give to our hearts full sway ; 
This may be the last of our joys, 
" So let us be happy to-day. 

Let Ulad's brave Chieftain rejoice. 
For the land of his sires will be free, 

So swear, Erin's sons, in one voice ; 
Come, drink up the toast, lads, with me, 

[Chorus same as first stania.'\ 



eithne; or, the siege ov Armagh. 21 

Enter O'Neil and Fitzpatrick. 

O^N Good cheer, my boys, I'm glad to see you merry. 
Fitz Ay, by my faith 'twere hard they could be else, 

AVith thee for a commander. 
O'N Nay, you flatter. 

1st Sol Not so, my noble Earl, it is the truth, 

Thy very presence cheers our Irish hearts; 

See how each manly visage wears a smile — 

The heart's sole mirror. Think'st thou we can grieve, 

And thou amongst us? Nay, in throth we can't, 

It were beyond oul* natures. 
O'N Noble men ! 

You and your comrades are as dear to me 

As I to you. For deep within my breast 

I hold sweet Erin's wrongs, for which I'll fight 

Till every acre be returned to us. 

He who loves the mother, loves her offspring; 

Therefore, ye sons of Ireland, 'tis for ye 

I'd pour my very heart's blood, ere ye fall. 

God grant me strength, and ye, my soldiers, faith, 

Then ere to-morrow's sun has kissed the wave, 

Lo! the green flag shall float above Armagh. 
All Ay, so it will. 

Enter O'Connor. 

O'C God speed thee, Hugh O'Neil. 

O'iY A thousand thanks, kind friend ; what of thy men ? 

What think they of the foe ? 
O'C I could not say; 

But why do we linger thus within the pass. 

When every moment is of so much worth ? 

We give the enemy time to get them ready 

At each delay, and if we so keep on. 

When do you think the troops will reach Armagh ? 
O'iV I trust before the night contracts its brows, 

To raise a sea of smoke before its walls 

So thick one cannot see twelve paces off. 
O^C So is my hope. 

Enter Hagar. 

Pits Who comes? she seems to be 

A shriveled phuca, of full eighty years. 
Hag [looking around.'] Luck and joy to all within this camp, 

I have their future written in my mind; 

I know what each man thinks of, ere he speaks. 
Ted Av so, tell me what now runs in my mind ? 
Hag Fool, thou hast spoken. 
Tea [aside^ Egad, that's uothin' strange. 



22 eithne; or, the siege of* A-rmtagu. , 

Hag Hast thou a guinea? 

Ted A guinea ? blood alive ! 

Ecod, she's not been in the army long, that's ivident; 

Why, ma'am, we soldiers seldom get a glimpse o' one. 
Hag Then hold 'thy tongue, thou fool, nor gabble so. 
Ted Oh misha! look at the phiz of her; be me soukens, if she's 

lank in jaw, she's well provided for in gab. 
Hag What say you sir? [I'ushes at Ted. 

Ted Oh, I did'nt say much, ma'am; only I thought that we'd have a 

fine day of it, pro vidin' we started in time. 
Hag Nay, then, thou art wise; 

For many wag their tongues and yet say nothing. 

Ttd {aside.'] Be dad, an she's not one o' thim kind, for whin she 

opens her mouth at all, she says too much. Ecod, me heart 

is all over in a flutther; no wondher! look at her flsht, it's as 

big as four like mine. [Ted sits with the rest of the soldiers. 

Hag Even now I know who'll gain the day, 

I see the bloody ranks and files before me ; 

The bursting bombshells and the flood of flame, 

The mangled bodies scattered o'er the fields, 

The shattered battlements and burning castles, 

The red and green mixed up in one dark mass: 

All this I see and more. 
O'iV Indeed, that's strange : 

Thou speakest boldly; what might be thy name? 
Hag My name is known to all throughout the Isle, 

The great foreseer of future. I am Hagar. 

Wouldst thou thy fortune have revealed to thee? 
O'iV My fortune is indeed well known to me. 

To fight for Ireland is my greatest wish. 
Hag E'en so, but I can tell thee of the foe, 

Likewise their numbers: whether thou'lt win or loose: 

How long the fight will last, and who will die 

Among thy friends; I read it in my mind. 
O^N Theii speak on, and tell me. Sit thee down. 

For thou art tired from walking. 
Hag 'Tis as well, [they sit on stools hy table. 

And now, ere I proceed, a guinea fee? 

The price is low, but I will need no more. 

[He pays her, she takes cards, etc. 
Pltz This woman seems to be a curious wretch ; 

Methinks she speaks not half what greets her mind. 
0'(7 I think as you: But say, let's haste away 

And get the army ready for the march. 

For every moment spent in idle whims 

May cause a loss, at present little thought of. 

lExeunt O'CoN. and Fitz. 
Ted I wondher what the owld skare crow is say in' now, a pack o' lies, [ 
I dare say. Will thin, av she don't bate owld nick] she tell 
who will be kilt; who the divil is she, anyhow? [a pause. 



Eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 2S 

Hag Thou hast a lady here within the camp, 

A near relation ; she has dark blue eyes ? 
(TN 'Tis true, what of her? 

Hag Thou dost love her much ? 

O'N Indeed, to my heart's core. 
Hag Then she will die ! 

And that, before this hour repeats itself. 
O'N My daughter die! I tell thee, hag, thou liest. [rises. 

Hag [catching his arm.] Be still awhile, my lord, I speak the truth. 

I see her doom as plain as I do thee; 

She'll fall in battle when thou least expect; 

So mark me well, I tell thee now in time, 

That thou mayest )>e prepared. 
O'N' AVhatcanldo, 

In order to secure her safety? 
Hag Well, 

Send her from the camp, till all is o'er. 

Then when the siege is past, and things are quiet. 

She may return to thee in perfect safety. 
O'N And who will gain the victory? 
Hag 'Tis thine; 

They tremble even now. 
(fX 'Tis well, then so. 

Dost live anear Armagh ? 
Hag About a league 

Beyond the city, in th' adjoining wood, 

Wh«re I can hear the cannons dreaded roar, 

And see the gloom of battle like a mist 

Rising on the valley; yet am safe. 
O'jV Is there another house near thine? 
Hag Not one; 

Mine is a hovel, free from wind or storm, 

Built beneath the brow of a steep hill; 

There do I live in peace, and no man dares 

Encroach upon my sacred solitude. 
O^N What is thy faith"? or dost thou practice any? 
Hag Deep in that lonely nitche beneath the hill, 

On Avhich the eyes of mortals seldom gaze; 

There have I reared an altar, night and day, 

I raise my feeble voice to Him above, 

And ask His aid for Ireland and her wrongs; 

In summer, I deck the altar with bright flowers, 

And when the snows return, the shamrock leaf 

Is seen around that precious piece of stone. 

And from the top an old oak cross juts out, 

Which casts its blessed shadow on the floor, 

Now, then, what is my faith ? 
O'N 'Tis that of God; 

The faith that stood the shocks of centuries, 

The Holy Roman Church, whose soul is bathed 



24 eithne; or, the siege ok armagh. 

• 
Deep in the living hlood of martyr'd sons: 
She who is clothed in spotless garb of truth, 
Built on a rock to stand 'till time is dead. 
This is thy faith, if it be as you say. 

Hac) Indeed, my lord, none other have I got, 
But what wouldst thou ? 

O'iV That thou shouldst take my child, 

And bear her to thy home, there keep her safe, 
'Till I will send a guard to bring her back. 

Hag 'Tis as you say, she shall be cared for well. 
While she remains in Hagar's humble home. 

CfX Ah, she comes! 

Enter Eithxe and Nora, r.-,u. e. 

Eith And do you think so, Nora ? 

Nora Of course I do, my child. 

Eith Well, that is strange; 

My father never told me that. 
Nora Indeed? 

Well, mind, I tell you now; so should you wish 

To try it e'er yourself, you know the way. 
E'dh And 1 shall make good iise of all I know 

So you shall never say, you taught in vain. 
Nora Thanks, generous girl, it is my greatest joy 

To see you happy; and when peace returns 

To this, our blessed isle, if I still live, 

I trust and hope to see your wish fulfilled. 

And you will be the wife of brave Fitzpatrick.* 
Eith Thou art so good. 

O^N My daughter, where hast been ? 

Eith Not far, dear father. 

O'N Why, wje missed thee here. 

Eith I'm sure I was not long away. Who's this ? 
O'N Oh, that's a poor old gipsey, who came here, 

And told our fortunes. [Hagar hoios. 
Eith, And thine, too, pa-pa? 

O'N [nods assent.'] 

Eith Oh, how I wish that she would tell me mine. 
O'N And I intend she shall; but not just now. 

My time is measured. 
Eith Yea, but mine is not. 

O'N Just now it is, for thou must haste and leave. 
Eith Leave thee, pa-pa? 
O'N Yea, for a time my child, 

Thou wilt be safe, ne fear for that, besides, 

Necessity comj)els it. 
Eith Be it so, 

But whither wilt thou send me, and to whom ? 
O'N Not far: this woman will take care of thee, 



EITHNE; or, the siege of i.RMAGH. 25 

And see thee want for nothing; she is good, 

A perfect Christian, and she'll please thee well. 

Thy will is mine, dear pa-pa, I will go. 

But, mind thou, send for me upon the morrow. 

For my whote heart will anxiously await 

The one, who'll bear me to thy arms again. 

O, Heaven! I trust the battle'wil! l^e short 

And thou wilt be the victor! 

[EiTHXE goes to Noka laid kisses her. 
Nora, dear, 

I wish that thou couldst come with me ; but yet, 

'Twould not be right to a§k thee, still, I hope 

Our separation will be but a short one. 

I know it will be short, for I feel sure 

Thy father's standard will float high above 

The tower that decks Armagh. 

So is my hope. 

But come, arise, my men, and lets be ofif, 

'Tis true the march was great, and ye are tired, 

Yet courage, and the day will be our own. 

What care we Irishmen, for toil or pain, 

So we have arms and strength to strike a blow? 

Up. and away ! our country gives the word. 

Therefore, obey. 

Three cheers for Ireland, boys. 

Hip! hip! hurrah! [Exeunt Soldiers. 

ITo Hagar.] Thou'lt hear when all is still. 

The thunder of three cannons from the fort. 

That is the sign to tell thee we have gained. 

Here, take this pistol, thou mayest need its use, 

Should anyone attack thee on the way. 

[Gives pistol to Hagar. 
lExe^rnf Hagar, Eithxe and Nora. 
Well, yer Highness, av it wouldn't be axin' too much, I'd like 
to spake to you for a moment or so. 

With pleasure, my friend; an hour if thou shouldst wish. 

Oh, faith, it wont take me that long to spin my small yarn. 
Ye see, I was in Armagh this mornin' thryin' av course, 
to pick up all the loose information I could respect- 
in' the inemy, do ye see, now. Well, to make a long story 
short, they took a poor priest and made him prisoner, who 
was'on a sick call, an' not sayin" a word to no one, so they 
got him now in the tower well locked up. 

Well, that is bad; I'm sorry, but awhile, 

And we will save him. 

Only say the word; 

And be the powers o' Moses he'll be out in a giflfy ; just 
lave it to me. 

Well, Ted, I give thee full permission, go ! 

And God will aid thee in thine enterprise. [Exeunt u. e. r. 



26 eithne; or, the siege op Armagh. 

SCENE II. — A pass in the forest; high set rocks in the distance, Moun- 
tains, etc., Enter Angus MacDonald, over the rocks, in rear. 

Ang Eh, man, but this is an awsome wierd place ; I maun hae lost 
my rout; whar' can I hae got to? I kenna if a soul lives 
here about; oh, na, I raether think this gloomy place cud 
na nurse ilk oon. This mornin' airly I gang'd in search 
o' O'Neil, an' hae na found him yet; I kenna whar' he hae 
himsel.' Weel, an' it's vera quear, but na-the-less, I maun 
gae off an' find him; when I see him aince I hae a wee bit o' 
news to tell him. Eh, whisht, quid, but wha's this boddie 
wi' the lang coat an' short breeches ? 

Enter Teddy O'Hare, r. 

Ted Halloa, there, av here ain't a purty sight to look on, Angus 
MacDonald, be gobs, jist the boy I was a wishin' to see, 

Ang Wot! is it ye, Teddy, my lad? 

Ted Faith, an' I belave it is, sir. 

Ang Weel, an' hoo air ye, this lang time ? 

Tei Is it me, egad I'm always well, there's nothin' thrubles me at 
all, at all. 

Ang Na, thin, thoo'rt a happy man, O'Hare. 

Ted Yis, thanks be to God ; I'd be very happy, ye see, only one thing 
vixes me very much, indade. 

Ang Yea, an' wot moat it be, lad? perhaps I moat ken a mickle 
about it. 

Ted Ah, avic, it is little you know about it, an' very little at that. 

Ang Wha, hoo noo Teddy? 

Ted Well, ye see, it's not myself is in throuble., but another per- 
son, whose shoe I'm not worthy to buckle. 

Ang l8 it O'Neil? 

Ted Oh, no, no fear o' him. 

Ang Ay, it canna be a priest? 

Ted Indade, it is, thin, the very same. I'm sorry to say; but ye 
see, this mornin' I was in Armagh thryin' to find out all I 
cud about the iuemy, when, all ov a sudden, I saw a great 
crowd marchin' towards me, so I jist sthept into a porch 
near-by, and as they i)ast, I saw they had a priest bound, 
and about a dozen o'the blagguards with their swords dhrawn 
and marchin' beside him. 

Ang Oh, wot wad I na gi' to hae bin thar wi' sex bra laddies anent 
thim ; by me faith I wad na let twa hairs o'thar heads the- 
gither; i'tha were sae mony mair, the cursed croAv: wha hae 
thay na bin wiped awa afore? 

Ted Niver mind, me bowld boy, but you'll soon see him out agin, 
or I'm not Teddy O'Hare. 

Ang Hoo, wo' ye do't lad, for ye ken they're vera cunnin.' 

Ted Ah, then, they'll have to be as cunnin' agin, before they can 
cum a thrick wid me. Howld yer whist a while, and you'll 
see how complately I'll fix 'im. I'm goin' now to Armagh, 



eithke; or, the siege op Armagh. 27 

and will stay there till O'Neil and his army arrive, thin I'll 
gather a couple a dozen men wid me, dhressed in civillians 
cloas, and sind thim in different directions to mate at a cer- 
tain place. 

Anff Ay, an' take tent ye wo' na he catched for yer fash; puir bra 
saul, nae doobt, gin noo thae hae him dead, for a' we ken. 

Ted Haith, an' I'll look out for that, niver fear; but when we get 
there 'ill be the fun; you see, I intind to catch some o'thim 
fellows that go dhrinkin' at the "Hand an' Keys" inn, and 
afther we sthrip thim o' their coats an' caps, and so foorth, 
we'll march wid a forged warrint into the tower and compel 
the jailor to give the prisht into our hands; do ye see, now? 
and when we have him once out o' their clutches, thin good 
bye to thim for a time. e 

A^tq Weel done, Teddy, my lad, I hae na seen the Celt yet wi'hoot 
the cunnin' vein; wo' ye let.me gae lang wi' ye? 

Ted I will, by me soukens, an' cead mille failthe. 

Ang Thin let's be gaeiu' awa frae here, if we gang ava, for we hae 
but a wee time ye ken; cum, cum, my bonnie Irish lad, we 
maunna tarry; may Guid gi' us health an' strength to con- 
quer the enemies o' His blessed Church, an' thole a' the hard- 
ships thaet cum in our way. Cum on, lad, take tent ye 
dinna fa.' 

Ted Is it me fall, egad ye must take me(»for a cripple. 

[Exeu7it L. 
Enter Hagar and Eithne, r. 

Hag This way, this way, a little further on. 

In yon dark valley; do you see the place? 

Eith That dark and gloomy passage ? 

ffag 'Tis the spot; 

Cozy and safe, a lonely place, indeed. 
But here no foe can reach us; look you there — 
Dost see yon group of sulph'ry bearded pines, 
Whose grey forms crown the valley ? Back of theee 
A lowly hovel rises, 'tis my home. 

Eiih Oh, what a dreary wilderness. 0. God, 

I trust in Thee, and Thou, I knoAv, wilt guide 
And keep me from all harm. I fear this place. 
It seems to have a lurking danger 'round it- 
Enormous vapours rise up in my soul. 
And dusky images pass before my sight. 
I don't know what the cause of this may be, 
But oh, a fearful tremor passes through me; 
I think I best return. 

Hag No, no, not yet; 

Thou dost but so imagine; thou art safe; 
I've dwelt here many a long and lonely year, 
And ought to know the place; come, come, my child, 
We must not loiter here, for time is scarce, . 



1 



28 eithxe; or, the siege of armagh. • 

Eith Good woman, stay a while, why haste thee so ? 

I fear there are more living here than one. 

Thou said Armagh was but three miles away, 

And now I tind 'tis eight; why tell me false? 
Hag Speak not this way to me, dost think me child, 

That thou shouldst question what I say to thee? 

Thou art within my keeping, and must come 

Whither I wish to bring thee. 
Eith Ah. forgive, 

I did not mean to chide thee, but alas ! 

I am yet young, and youth is oft too hasty. 

Oh, do not frown so at me; 'tis enough 

To Ipve this valley wear a dismal face. 

Thou shouldst be cheerful, and forgive my fault; 

I know I err'd a little, but there, cheer thee now; 

What! wilt not deign to please me — nor forgive? 

Then I will leave thee. 
Hag [grasping her arm.} Ah, that hour is past, 

Thou shouldst have done so full three hours ago, 

But now it is too late; so come along, 

Or I will make thee come. 
Eith One moment more, 

Is there no shrin# about this gloomy place. 

At which I might but for a moment kneel 

And ask our Holy Mother's care? 
Hag No, none. 

Unless the one within my darksome lodge; 

There you may kneel and pray, nor fear for aught. 
Eith Hast thou an altar raised to Mary, then? 
Hag Thou'lt see anon; I say not all I think, 

I have an altar, therefore, haste thee on, 

And thou mayst view it to thy heart's content. 

[Exeunt l. 



SCENE in. — Hagar's home, two apartments — h.ouse darkened; « room 
ftdl of mysterious images^ such as skulls, bones, snakes, aidlers, 
and other such like things,- a table, on ichich rests a small harp,'sfands 
in the corner of 2nd apartment. The \st apartnient is to be about 
half the size of 2nd, and to contain nothing but a staircase in rear, 
leading to ceiling from l. to r. Large room to be l, and small r. 
Two chairs, a gun, maps and globes, constitute the remaining ar- 
ticles. 'In the rear of room 2nd, is a dark closet, with curtains in 
front. 

Enter Hagar, /b//o(cet/ by Eithne, down stairs i)do 1st apartvient. 

Hag There, we are home, at last our journey's done. 
Eith AVhere are we now? I cannot see an inch, 

'Tis all BO dark; can we not have some light? 



ettitne; or, the piege op armaoh. 29 

Hag Be patient for a moment, thou wilt see; 

All will be right, anon. 
Eltli Where is tlie shrine? 

I yearn to look upon it, 'tis a sight 

That needs must cheer me after so much fear. 
Hag Be still, girl, thou- art foolish thus to prate. 

[^7/e opens door leading to 2nd apartment. 

Come a few steps more, there — all is right. 

[She locks door after Eithne enters. 
Eith Ah, what hast thou done? 
Hag I've locked the door. 

Come here, give me thy hand. I want thee. 
Eith ' No! 

I shall not; woman where hast thou brought me? 
Hag I'll show thee that, likewise the altar, too, 

Which you so craved for, look sharply now, 

For I will greet thine eyes with something great, — 

A sight to make thee wonder. 
Eiih Show it, then. 
Hag Come thou, who dwellest in dark eaves below, 

Great monarch of my soul, lift up thy form 

From out thy fiery halls beneath the earth; 

Come in that shape that pleaseth thee the best — 

As hedious as thou canst, the more the better: 

Obey me, servant, for I bid thee here. 

By all the power and claims I hold upon thee. 
{A pause — the curtains jiy apart and reveal Satan in the closet; Eithne 
screams and rushes' to the door leading to the 1st apartment, Ha- 
OAR stops her, the curtains close again. 
Eith Great heavens, this place is bad, let me away ! 
Hag Stop, girl, thou must remain; here is thy home 

Till I shall bring a band of soldiers here 

To bear thee to the bosom of thy foe. 

Thou seest there is no outlet from this place, 

Except athrough this door, which I shall lock, 

This is the key, [shows hey,'] and I will keep it safe. 

Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! now thou canst pray. 

If prayers avail thee aught, gfet thou froni here, 
[Hagar opejis door, Eithne rushes again. Hagar pulls pistol and pre- 
sents it at Eithne. 

Stand back, thou silly girl, why didst thou come ? 

Thy doom is sealed, so make the best of time. 
[Hagar goes into the 1st apartment, locks the door after her, and exits. 
Eithne turns, and looking upwards, falls on her knees, icith left 
side to audience. 
Eith. 0, God! my God! what have I done, God! 

Ye heavens above, why frown ye thus upon me? 

I am not dead, yet, I am here in hell; 

Oh, Heaven, stretch forth Thy hand and aid me now. 

And Thou, 6 Virgin Mother, in whose care 



30 eithne; ok, the siege of Armagh. 

I humbly placed myself, hast Thou, too, left me? 

Tell me, oh sweet Mother, for my soul, 

My mind, my heart and all await Thy voice. 

Sliow forth Thy power, now, holy Virgin, 

And let not me, Thy child, be here* alone; 

I hate this cursed place, for here around me 

Forms of demons, dim and indistinct. 

Float in the sulph'ry air; Oh, I am lost! 

They'll come and bear me off, and then, perhaps, 

They'll take my life away, and I no more 

Will look upon my father. great Heaven ! 

What have I done' that I should merit this? 

O Mother, sweet Holy Mother! hear my prayer. 

Help me, Mary I free me from this hell. 

[The curtains fly open once more, and reveal the Blessed Virgin stand- 
ing in the same closet as Satan -was seen; under her feet is a serpent, 
and around her clmids and stars; a beautiful sacred melody is heard 
in the distance, and voices behind the scenes sing " Glorja in Excel-^ 
CIS Deo;" music stops and the Blessed Virgin speaks in a clear,' 
distinct tone: — 

Virgin Fear not, my child, but keep thy faith in me, 

And let him beware who scoffs the Virgin's power. 

{Blue hy.O— TABLEAU. 



A C T I I I. 

SCENE 1. — A prison; door in rear; the Priest discovered seated alone 
by table, r. ; a candle on table — stage darkened. 

Prifst. {Soliloquizing.) God! what peace exists in serving Thee? 
What happiness crowns each simple act of faith ? 
How great the blessings, poured from Thine own hand, 
No mortal can conceive. Thou, my God, 
Who guidest the heavens, and earth, and all within. 
Deliver me from those chains that bind me here; 
I^ask Thee, Jesus, and I know Thy Holy love 
Will not let Satan prosper in his work. 
It is not for myself, God, I ask, 
But for Thy Holy Church. Thou knowest my will; 
'Twas written in" Thy mind before my birth. 
I trust Thou wilt deliver me ere long 
From this unholy place, for soon, God, 
Thy sons will need me on the battle field, 
T'administer the last rites of Thy Church. 



eithne; or, the siege of abmagh. 

But my God, if that it be Thy will 

That I should liVe within these dismal walls, 

then this heart and soul are in Thy care; 

1 am Thy servant, use me as Thou wilt. 

Enter Jailor, through door in rear. 

The General is coming. 

*" Let him come! 

What is he to me? I owe him naught. ^^ 
You owe him your oheissance. ^^^^ 

Then much I fearthe debt will ne'er he paid. 
His is not the power that I obey, 
Mine is a loftier one. ^^^^^^^.^^^^ 

You'll have to do him honor, mark you me. 

Or vbu will suffer for it. 

^ Think you so; 

That which is his he'll have, and nothing more. 

Dost think me fool to bow to ^"^h as he 
Waunt, all Heaven would ^cofifme, if 1 did. 

Thou Pav.ist priest, dost speak so of my master? 

r I strike hcfe. wretch, and make thee know thy place. 

Va^deT Upon my word, this fellow's words are bold. 
T never heard Ijefore such noble rage 
F im out so weak a bosom, ^^aliant luve 
Thoushouldst be born a nobleman-a loid, 

Not a jailor. -r .,i i + 

[aside.-] Marry, I will be yet, # . 

Such changes oft occur in life's broad sea 

M^^fhinks such like a place is born for me. 

¥hese priestfare wond'rous folks^ I've heard it said 

They see a person's future in their eye. 

Be this a fact, or no, I cannot say. 

But evident enough, it seems to me, 

There must be something in it, for this man 

Snelks of a thing I know, that must be tme. 

Kwe^- is from below, no doubt, but then, 

T ittle care I for that, so I am told, 
Wheth'e'l'm born for something ^^f^/^Xci 
{to priest] So oft have I been hinted of the tact 
Tlmt I will some day be a something great, 
That I at last begin to think it true. 
And now, conjure thee, as thou art a priest 
To tell me what I'll be, and t^iis confirm me. 
Truly, thy tongue moves so alcove thy place, 
Methmight the^e born for some far nobler sphere 
Than jailor of the innocent and weak, 
• A huckster now for ince. 



31 



32 kithne; or, the siege of armagh. 

• 

Jai What say you, sir? 

Dost dare compare me to a liuckster, eh ? 
Pr Not I, the place is far beyond thy sphere. 

And 'twere a sin to think thee e'en so good. 
Jai Sir. you shall pay for this, and dearly too, 

Thy food sir, — thy food, which was soft bread before, 

Will henceforward be of hardest crusts; 

Ha, sir! louk to it, don't think to mock me thus, 

I have the power, so look you — crusts and water. 

[Exit Jailor through door in rem 
Pr ^ My halidom, this self-conceited knave 

Seems wrankly injured by ray candid view 

Of his hereafter. Let me think awhile; 

The General is coming, so he says. 

What can he want with me ? alas ! I feel 

My time is come, and I must meet my fate. 

Enter General Norris through door in rear. 

Qen Well, sir, thou art he who teacheth beads. 

And idol worship 'gainst our Queen's command, 
Pr Not 80, sir, I deny the charge, 'tis false! 

I teach that faith which Jesus Christ hath taught. 
Qtn Thou art a Popish priest? 

Pr Ay, that' I am. 

Gen Then thou art traitor to Her Majesty, 

And needs must suffer death, unless thou choose 

To take the oath of her supremacy : 

And sacrifice thy superstitions all, 

Resign thy priesthood, and begin a life 

That will hereafter do thee honor. Drop 

All thy prayers to saints and images, 

Abandon thy present life, and then proclaim 

Her Majesty the head of all the Church. 
rr Then 1 will not do either one or th'other. 

1 am a Papist, and without that name 

I'd live a burden to me all my days. 
' Thinkest thou, I. would give that precious faith 

With which my God has bless'd me, for thy faith? 

No, not for twenty lives! thou, poor soull 

Blest centre of this sinful clay, not I! 

I will not sell thee, let them do their best, 

They can but part us for a time. No ! No ! 

We Catholics are used to martyrdom, 

It flows as an inheritance through our veins. 

Away! prepare my gallows, I will hang! 

But I will not leave my faith; no, 'tis too dear. 

Our Saviour died for it a^id so will I, 

Nor think that death will frighten me; for I 

Would rather live above with God, than here 

In this vil^world ; the only ties J have 

Are all my Cath'lic children, whom I leave 



I 



eithne; or, the siege op Armagh. 33 

Here, in the midst of enemies. 0, God! 

I trust that Thou wilt grant them grace to stand 

The storms that rise around them; send them safe 

Across the raging sea of troubles, and 

Land them forever in Thy breast divine ! 

Well, sir, look to't, I gave thee chance to live, 

But thou hast scorn'd my offer, therefore, death, 

Death on the gallows, is thy punishment. 

Then' welcome death! [to Gen.J But pr'ythee stay awhile, 

I have a word to tell thee, e'er thou go. 

Dost think me fool to die ? 

In faith, I do, 
A sorry one at that; thou shouldst be wise, 
Renounce thy cursed faith, and marry life. 
Then hark, thou man ! if in yon gloomy room 
Thou saw'st a massive pile of diamonds. 
With gold and silver and all precious stones, 
And got thy choice, to own those precious gems 
And live in happiness; or stay in here 
For one long gloomy life, which wouldst thou do? 
Why, seeTi the gold, of course. 

And not be fool ? 
Not I. 

Then give me death; for death's the door 
Through which we all must pass, to enter there. 
Away, thou titled fool, I'll meet my fate 
As ev'ry Catholic should. 

Say, Jailor, ho! 

Enter J AihOR through door in rear. 

See this man be guarded well, nor let 

A soul go near him, till I send a guard 

To bear him to the fort. {Exit General, 

[to priest.^ Ha! ha! my cove, 

Perhaps thyself would be a huckster now. 

Or even a huckster's servant, ha! ha! ha! 

Eh, thou wert born for some far higher sphere 

Than this damp cell, a gallows now for ince. 

Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! a holy priest! 

Avaunt! thou varlet, dost scoff me in my chains? 

[Priest tries to rise, hut cannot. 
You would, I know, but then you see you can't, 
So look for bread and water, and then — 

[Jailor draios his finger across his throat j exit Jailor. 
.My God, stretch forth Thy hand and give me grace ; 
I now commend me to Thy Holy care. 
If I am worthy of Thy Blessed place, 
Lord, I trust thou soon shalt bear me there. 

[Priest droops his head and weeps. Scene closes. 



34 eithxe; or, the siege of Armagh. , 

SCENE II. — A sfreet in Armagh. Enter Teddy O'Habe and Angus 
MacDonald, l. 

Ang Weel, uoo, Ted, air ye sure they'll cum? for ye ken ye caima 

thrust ilk oon noo-a-days. 
Ted Oh, faith, I'm sure they'll be here, I could thrust my life with 

the same boys, and not fale the laste uuaseness alout it. 
Ang Eh, an' suppose the English were to come noo, an' catch us 

here, it wadna be gude for us; we maunna thole here. 
Ted Egad, you're right, boy, come let's get behind this corner, and 

wait 'till we see thim comin.' 
Ang Wha's that wee bit boddie cummin' this way? din ye see? 

yon wi' the twa clubs. 
Ted Oh, faith, that's one o' thim now. 
Ang The deil, it is, he canna be gude for muckle. 
Ted Well, wait 'till you see aint he. 

Enter an Irishman, tcHh two shillalahs under his arm. 

Iri Here is where I was towld to come, and I'm here. 

Ted [stepping out.^ An so am I, me boy, did je see any o'the 
others about anywheres ? 

Iri Yes, here come some now. [Enter Jive others. 

Ted Well, lads, so ye're here as to jsromised. 

All Yes, sir-re. 

Ted All right, then, ye're fine fellows; ye will all be rewarded 
for this afterwards ; but we miist try now to get the priest, 
out o' prison. Holloa ! here comes a whole baud of thiml 
English rascals; come boys, we must be ofif. Ye go hidel 
beyant there, 'till I call ye; I'm goin' to the tavern here;| 
come Angus. [Exeunt men l., Ted and Angus r.» 



SCENE III. — A tavern; counter l. from rear i<> front; kegs, bottles, 
etc., on shelves. Enter Teddy O'Hare, through door in rear. 

Ted Well, here I am at last, and a mighty hard job I had to get 
here; egad, and I'll pay thim for it, niver fear, or I'm not 
my mother's son. [aloud.] Where's the waiter should be 
here, say somebody where are ye? 

[Enter Inn-keeper, l. 

Inn K Halloo, there, don't make so much noise. 

Ted Howld yer tongue, why did'nt ye come when I called ye? 

Tnn K Because I did'nt hear you. 

Ted And why didn't you hear me? 

Inn K HoAv should I know ? 

Ted Well, ye can go now, thin, I don't want ye. . ' 

Inn K Get out o'my Inn, sir, you Irish puppy, how dare you talk to 
me in this manner? Out, sir! out! 

[Inn keeper comes from behind counter to put Teddy out. 



eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 35 

Ted Is it me yer addressin' in that way, sir? 
Inn E Yes, sir, it just is you. Come, get out of my place. 
Ted ■Oh, be a little aisy, sir, av you please. You know its not 
polite to spake in that way to a gintleman. I'm goin' out, sir, 
you see, only I'll take my own time for it. 
[Inn keeper is about to lay hands on Teddy, who strikes him on the 

fingers with shilalah. 
Ted Hands off, sir, yer a little too familiar, at the first goin' off. 
Ye see, ye must wait till yer a little betther acquainted 
afore you thry such a thrick as^that. Well, I'll lave it to yer 
ignorance, ye don't know no betther. It's hard for ye, poor 
fellow, bein' that you're English; they half stharve a man's 
brains in that country, and they're thryin' very hard to bring 
the same rules into this blessed isle; they sthole all our 
public libraries from us, where a man might rade his fill, 
and pay nothin' for it, and our schools and every thing else, 
an' they're even thryin' now to stale away our faith, but no 
sir, they can't do it, becase St. Patrick did his work well 
when he was about it. Yis, sir, ye don't want us to know 
as much as yerselves, but ye'll find we do, sir, and more 
too, for we know the thrue faith, an' ye don't. 
Inn K Confound the fellow's impudence. Here, sir, leave my place 

immediately, or I will have you put out. 
Ted Egad, he's changed his tune; before he was goin' t(j j>ut me 
out himself; now he's goin to have me put out. Well, that 
• little taste of the sthick, did him no harm. I see. 

Inn K What do you want here, anyhow? I have no time to loiter 

here with you. 
Ted No? That's strange. Well, well make time; I have plenty, 
I'll lend ye some. Come, I want ye to give me yer thro wsers, 
vest and apron immadiately 
Inno^ Zounds, sir, I shan't. 
Ted Oh, but ye will, ye see, so don't get obsthroperous, all at 

once. 
Inn K If you had not that stick with you, I'd put you out in an in- 
stant. 
Ted Oh, if you think so, all right. I have no particlar objection, 
(throws doicn stick). There, ye see it down, so now, ye 
can come on. 
[The Inn keeper takes a fighting attitude^ and keeps moving aroimd Ted. 
he rushes at Ted, v)]io, stepping aside, trips him up, striking him on 
the side of the face as he falls. Inn keeper cries. 

[aside'] Egad, I wondher how he likes that one? Oh, 
musha, look at him, see how he laughs, get up out o'that, 
get up! you lazy, good for nothin' blagguard, do ye hear? 
and give' me them clothes ye got on ye, and then go to bed 
without yer supper. 
[Teddy hlows whistle, and Angus MacDonald enters m rear, followed by 
an Irishman. 



36 eithne; or, the siege of armagh. 

See here, Angus, ray boy, take tha.t child up out o'that, 
and sthrip him and send him to bed; [to the Irishman,] 
help him, you; and bring his cloas to me; see he don't get 
out, or make any noise, bind him well, and stay there and 
watch him: Do you hear? 

Ir Ay, ay, sir. 

[Exeunt Angus and Irishman, loxth Inn keeper, l. 

Ted Well, he's out o' the way, anyhow; so now I'll have a look 
around and see what the scoundrel has got here. \_Goes he- 
hind counter.'] Plenty of blue ruin, that's ivideut. 

Sings: 

" And the night that I was a married 

And on my marriage bed. 
Up comes a bold sea captain 

And stood at my bed-head — 
Sayin" arise! arise! young married man, 

And come along with me 
To the low, low lands of Holland, 

For to fight your enemy. 
Dedle I de do dum, da, de, dum, 

Dedle I de do dum da, 
Dedle de di do di da de dura, 

Dedle um dum do dum da." 

Och, murdher, look at all the barrels of rura and whisky, the 
blaggard has sthow'd in here. Well, that's a mortal sin, just 
to think, all that detestable stuff to be sent in among the 
poor families that, perhaps, haven't enough to eat; well, 
raay I niver sin av such a scoundrel as that aughtn't to be 
starved to death. Egad, that's the way wid the world; ye 
see, now-a-days, the very rascals that ought to be hangd 
get clear, and the poor innocent Irishman that professes 
his own dear religion is shot, or. if they don't want to waste 
powdher wid him, well, he's sthrung up, without further 
ceremony. 

Re-enter Angus, l. 

Ang Holloo, Ted, hae ye taen charge o' the place already? af thaet 

be sae, weel gi' me a gude dhrop o' Scotch nisqe. 
Ted Is it me give you liquor; no, sir! not I, for I like you too 

well to give you that which sends so many poor .souls to 

perdition. Come here, Angus, how did you fix that chap I 

gave in your care? 
Ang Ha! ha! I put him whar he isna likely to sell uisqe for a 

bit. 
Ted Did ye? egad, an' yer a gintleman in ivery sense o' the word, 

but the wrong sense. Well, never mind, go tell the boys to 

come in. 
[Angus goes to door in rear, and beckons for the men; enter about 6 men. 



eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 37 

Ang Weel, an' I guess ye hae thim, a'. 

Ted All right, thin, ye can go into the next room, there, boys, for 
I expect some o' thim Englii^h chaps will be here warmin' 
their throats; wait there till ye hear me whistle "The 
Moreen," thin ye can come out, and we'll take thim prisoners, 
do you see, now? 

All Yes, yes. 

Ted Well, be off, thin. [Exeunt men, r.] Now thin, Angus, ye see 
we must go, too; you be ready whin I call you; and as for 
myself, I must get on my flunky's cloas. 

[Exennt Angus dnd Ted. 

Enter Capt. LeGros and soldiers, reav. 

Capt Ah, we come hither. 

\st Sol Hither we come, good sir. 

Capt A man of peace, am I. 

1st Sol And only a piece of a man. 

(kqjt Zounds, sir, why speakest thou thusly? down thou knave; 

[To 2d soldier.^ Cut the fellow's head off. 
1st Sol IFalls on his knees.'] Spare my head. 

Oh noble sir. 'tis the only one I've got; 

My mother gave me this, and said, good youth 

Thy head is soft, be careful how you use it. 

And what e'er you do, don't let a soul abuse it. 

Good lord! great lord! I pray thee pardon this? 
Capt Dost call me lord? I'll pardon thee for that. [Ist Sol rises, 

1st Sol Pardon me for calling thee a lord! 

I know I did wrong, but then — 
Capt Sir! down again. 

1st Sol Oh heavens ! I'm gone for now, why did I speak, 

To think I'll loose my head, for one small mouth: 

Brave sir! cut out ray mouth, but leave my head, 

[opens his mouth. 

You know you want a voice to speak your praise. 
Capt Egad, the knave is right, I'll need his mouth. 

Although he talks too much, yet there are times 

He lies to serve his master. Ah, I have 't, 

Away! cut off his head, but leave his mouth. 
1st Sol Oh, ho! good sir, hast thou not made a blunder? 
Capt Zounds, sir, I'm infallible. 
1st Sol Oh, you are. 

[2d Soli Are you ? 
2d Sol Not I. 

1st Sol Then fear you'd do it wrong, 

You'd better practice on this fellow's head, [points at 3d Sol. 

It's not worth anything. [To Capt.] O, gracious lord, 

Whose eyes beam forth such overbearing light, 

That all the kingdom calls thee moruing star; 

Wilt thou not grant my pardon once again ? 



38 



eithne; or, the siege of Armagh. 



2d Sol Pardon the fellow, he's an honest knave. '[ 

Capt How can he be a knave, and still be honest ? 

Thy words belie thee, sir, thou speakest false. 
2d Sol No, no, I mean he is an honest rogue. 
Capt Well, since so many sue for him, at last 

My heart yields forth its pity, let him g-o ; 

But see that tongue of his lies still awhile. 

(aloud.) Say, where's the proprietor of this here place? 
Ted (outside.) I'm cummin' sir, howld on. 

Enter Ted. 

lSoldie7'S place their guns hy the side where the Irishmen went in., m 
then go to the bar. 

Capt Thou art not the proprietor? 

Ted Well, don't I know that myself, but sure he's gone out and 
left me in charge, so what'll ye have? 

Capt Drinks for the men. 

Ted All right, sir, but wont ye have a glass yerself ? 

Capt No sir, I've joined the church. 

Ted Oh, ye have. 

[^as'ideX Thin that's the divil's own church you joined, [to 
Capt.'] Say, you better have a dhrink, sir, its no harm, I 
assure ye, besides, you see you're tired, 

Capt Well, I suppose I will ; [^drinks.] 

Ted A man like you should take a dhrink every hour to stimelate 
ye, 'twouldn't hurt ye in the laste, besides you're one that 
must have fought a dale in your day. Here, take another, 
that wasn't full. 

Capt No, it wasn't, that's a candid fact, {drinks.'] 

Ted That's mighty fine whisky, take my word, you niver tasted 
betther in all yer life, did ye, now? 

Capt Well, no, — I cannot say I did; but then — 

Ted Yes, I understand, you didn't think to taste it; well, have an- 
other, 'twill do you heaps o' good. 

Cap Oh, no, no more. 

Ted Nonsence, man, be aisy now, here, here. 

Capt \drinks.] Here's your luck. 

Ted [aside.] It's time for him to say that, the dirty spalpeen, 

Capt That's eh, (hiccoughs.,) splendid whiskey, sir. 

Ted No doubt o' that, (whistles the "Minstrel Boy.''^) Well, how do 
yese get along, boys? Axe. yese makin' yerselves at home? 

All Ay, we are, sir. 

Ted That's right, Ijoys. ( Tlie Irishmen enter and steal aioay the guns) 
Halloa! look there, look at those fellows stealin' yer guns. 
[Alltarnroiind, the Irish present guns at Soldiers, who tremb- 
le.] Ah, ha, we got them now, boys; come, off wid yese, 
now, into the other room, yer presence is more welcome 
there than here. 

Capt What does this mean ? Help ! Help ! 



eithne; or, the siege op Armagh. 39 

Ted Av ye don't howld yer long tongue, ye blather skyte, I'll help 

ye out o'this, mighty sudden, do ye hear? 
Capi Help! help!! help!!! " 

[Ted seizes the Capt. by the back of the neck and runs him of the 
stage, l. 

Be-enter Ted, l. 

Ted Come, now for the rest of the rascals, out of this! march! 
be oil"! Isoldiers march off l.' 

Ted sings: 

Oh cheer up, lads, and smile. 
For old Erin's Blessed Isle 
Will fly the bright green flag once more. 
For the army of O'Neil 
Will teach Englishmen to feel, . 
That they have to lave sweet Erin's shore, 
To return no more. 

Then give your souls full sway, 

Wipe the briny tear away ; 
Drink happiness, and be ye free, 

And instead of idle tears 

Let your feelings flow in prayers, 
And ask God to send us liberty, 

Sweet liberty. — 



SCENE IV.— ^ street in Armagh. Eater Teddy O'Hare, a^id Com - 
pany. 

Ted I did that complately, took thim all and bound thim safe in 
the cellar, where I am sure they can't come out. Egad, I 
wondher how the poor fellow feels that didn't dhrink; .oh, 
no, he didn't dhrink, he joined the church; jarra, musha! 
that's the church without a steeple. Well, where's all my 
army ? say, we musn't sthop here boys, so let's be going'. 
Quick march, solger arms! that's right, boys, yer a dale 
sight better nor the chaps 'at was in 'em. Say, there, you! 
don't be lookin' behind ye, eyes in front! [exeunt soldiers'] 
Come here, Angus, egad, thim's fine men, you niver saw 
their betthers in all yer life. Say, boy, I'li tell ye what 
I'll do for ye, I'll dub ye sargint o'iny company, and thin 
ye see ye can have a title all yer life, do ye mind, now? 
kneel down, [Angus kneels.'] And now, sir, with my sword 
I dub thee sargint. [Ted dubs hhn with sword.] Arise! 
egad, you look 'twice as good now as ye did before. Halloa, 
who's this purty lass cummin' beyond there? Oh, she's a 
darlin', egad, my heart is playin' forty-five's agin me side. 
Niver mind, I must be off, I'd like to stay, but the voice of 



40 eithne; or, the siege op Armagh. 

duty is louder thin the voice of beauty. So, x\ngus, you can 
stay here and attind to her until I go and relave the priest. 
{Exit Ted r. and enter Louise t.. 
Lou Please, kind sir, which way is Patrick street? 
Aug Well, I canna say, my Itonnie lass, it maun be to the right. 
Loii Art thou a soldier? 
Ang Well, I raether think sae. 
Lou Dost thou not know me then? 
Ang Na, I dinna ken ye. 
Loii No ? I am the daughter of the General 

It's strange thou dost not know me; wilt thou see 
That I be borne in safety to my father? 
He waits me at the fort. 
Ang An' wha hae ye fear my lassie? nae raon 'ill hairm ye. ye 

hae sic bonnie een. 
Lou Thanks, good sir, but here in this wild town. 
Where everything is tumult, 'tis not safe 
To walk alone, especially a maid. 
Ang Na, thin, whisht a bit an we'll gang thegither; we maunna 
tarry lang, for fear it maut be waur; if ye cum.wi* me hiss, 
ye wo' na hae a scaith to fear. , 

Lou Oh, thou art so good. | 

Ang Sae gude, wha this is nothin' puir chiel, my airm i.^ strong and f 
wha's the oon gars cum anent it. Cum, lass, thoo'rt safe 
wi' me. [Exeunt r. 



SCENE V. — A Prison, same as Scene T. The priest discovered alone 
A table r., with food on it. 

Pr Four of the clock, I've yet two hours to live — 

Two dreary hours; and still my heart tells more. 
Alas ! why should I weep ? I am no slave ; 
For he who loves his God is always free. 
And death should be a solace unto me. m 
But no, my soul seems wrapt up in a mist, 
My heart is bathed in sorrow, and my eyes 
Pour forth ray gloomy feelings in a tear. 
And whence this tumult rising in my frame ? 
I cannot speak the cause, unless it be 
The knowledge of my death so near — oh, no, 
That cannot be, for what care I for life? 
My soul is free, unburdened, and at peace. 
Ah now I see, the mist has left my mimd; 
A light is born within me which unfolds 
The secret dread that overshades my soul. 
It is not love of life, nor fear of death, 
But that I leave behind my work half done. 
One foe is scarce subdued when new ones rise. 
Waving their infamous banners in our midst, 



1 



eithne; or, the siege of armagh. 41 

Threatning destruction to our Blessed Church, 
But Thou, Lord, wilt aid us. and remain 
The same firm centre that Thou wert of old. 
Fresh hope springs up within my aching breast, 
Soothing my soul with heav'n-born joys, 'till all 
My bosom is inflammed with ardent love. 
A hazy dimness greets my moistened eyes; 
The future opens to my mental view 
And shows me death and everlasting night. 
The chant of angels echo in my ears, 
Their notes of Heavenly praise, while yet I rest 
Enclosed in the stony bosom of this cell. 
Haste on, ye lazy hours, for I will be 
One soul more cast from the breast of time, 
To mount through wastes of vacancy to bliss. 

Ejiter Jailor. 
Well, sir, the guard is here, art ready now? 
T am; but are they not before their time? 
I have an hour and twenty minutes yet, 
But I suppose you're anxious for my death. 
Ay, indeed, and every Papist like you. 
Come, haste on, a moment more we give 
To say a prayer for thine hall-famished soul, 
Which has, no doubt, been gasping since thy birth 
With parched lips, in want of solid food, 
Instead of counting beads. 

Be still, thou fool. 
What time I have to live left be in peace. 
Unbind my chains. 

Don't haste yourself, my friend, 
We'll have the guard to do so, Icalling'] come this way, 
The prisoner is waiting. 

Enter guards (O'Hare and men) through dour bo rear, j 

Ah! you've come; 
Here, take me where ye will; I have no choice. 
For where I would be ye have dragged me from. 
And death is sweeter far than those damp walls, 

^Solemn music. Two of the guards knock off his chains. 
O gracious God! I pray Thou pardon these, 
They are Thy children though they scoflF Thy word. 
Hold thy Popish tongue, we ask no prayers 
From such as thou. 

There, now, thy chains are off; 
Say, Jailor, lead the way. 

[Exit Jailor. 
[to priest."] Whisht, all is right. 

We're not the Englishmen, at all. 



42 eithke; or, the siege of Armagh. • 

Pr Thank God! 

\st G Keep as f^acl a face as ever ye can, while yer goin' out, so as 

not to excite suspicion; lead on, boys, we're ready. 
Ted Eyes front! May Heaven protect our scheme, and make our 

path clear and unmolested. [Green light TABLEAU. 



ACT IV. 



SCENE I. — Hagar s home. Eithne discovered seated by an old table, 
Hiith prayer beads in her hand. After the scene opens she kisses 
the beads and then rises. 

Eith (soliloquizing.) The eve is stealing on, and yet I sit 
And watch, still no one comes. Of course, she meant 
To bring some persons here and bear me off; 
Soldiers, no doubt, and English ones at that. 
Ah me, what stories I've been told of them ; 
They say they have no honor in their hearts, 
I trust I shall not meet with such as these. 
Our Holy Mother's words still wake mine ears, 
And soothe my breast with blissful happiness; 
Her voice was like a golden-stringed harp. 
Bathed in the air of Heaven; and Her face 
Beamed brighter than the brilliant mid-day sun. 
See what a change Her words have wrought; this place 
That seemed to me a hell before, seems now 
More like a paradise; what will I do 
To while away the time while she is gone ? 
Somehow I feel more joy in me than grief; 
My heart is free of care; I think I'll sing, 
I saw a harp somewhere when I came in, 
Ah, there it is. (goes to harp and strikes.) Alas! the chords 

are dull, 
They have no life, and that would make me sad. 
I'll sing to thee, thou poor forsaken harp ! 

EiTHNE sings: 

Sad is thy voice, oh thou lone harp of Erin, 
Dull are thy chords, for thy spirit has flown; 

Blest be the eye that thou wakest a tear in, 
Sweet emblem of Erin, whose grief is mine own. 

Oft hast thou sung of brave heroes departed, 

And gladdened the hearts of a nation with song, 

But now, for thy country, with grief broken-hearted, 
Thou livest in silence, deep silence, too long. 



i 



i 



EITHNE; or, the siege of ARMAGH. 48 

Enter Hagar and English soldiers in outer roovfi; they listen; Eithne 
continues singing. 

Wake up, dear harp, for too long hast thou sorrowed, 
Drinking the grief that should burden thy foe ; 

Swell out those strains that false nations have borrowed, 
And stole from thy bosom long ages ago. 

Enter Hagar through door "between the apartments, followed hy soldiers ' 

Hag Ah, you are merry I see, well, that's a good thing, 

For you won't have the chance again for a time. Come, say, 
How do you like old nick for a partner, eh ? 
He's pleasant. 

Far more than thou. 

Dost see those men ? 

They're a valiant set. 
As valiant as their leader. 

Nay, perhaps. 
As valiant as thy father thou shalt find. 
My father would not deign to look at one, 
Nor even stain his sword with such poor blood. 
Ah, ray proud girl thou yet wilt lower thy tone 
When thou shalt see thy father's mangled corpse 
Before the City walls, and thou thyself 
The bride of some young Englishman, beware ! 
Before I'd deign to stoop so low as that, 
I'd suffer death a thousand times ! 

Thou wouldst? 
Then come, I'll make thee stoop a little lower. 
(to 1st soldier) My friend you know your business 

Ay, well. 
Then see to it. 

With all my heart. Come, girl, 
I'd like to have a kiss from those bright lips. 
Wilt give me one? of course, you won't say no, 
My heart is palpitating for a taste, [goes toxmrds her. 
Away, thou villian ! is there no man among you, 
Who'll save me from this wretch's power? None? 
No, not one. 
[A young soldier-hoy steps up between the soldiers and Eithne. 

I say old hag there is. (all laugh.) 
Hold, thou, lowly wretch, this maid's alone. 
And under our protection, not our mercy, 
Therefore, I will see that she is safe. 
I am English, but my mother's land 
Was here in this green isle, and all her heart 
Was wrapt up in it, therefore, for her sake, 
Who now lies cold beneath the English sod. 



44: eithxe; or, the siege of Armagh. , 

While yet one drop of Irish Mood remains 

Within this breast, it shall be spent for thee. 

Look ye, ye set of cowards, I'm a boy, 

The youngest of you all ; but by my soul, 

I'll never see a maiden in distress ! 

[Takes hold o/Eithne's hand, the rest stand abashed. 
1st S So ho, my hearty, this is your small game? 
Sol B Ay, and I mean to stand by it, so mind, 

Our General will know of this ere long, 

If any of you lay a finger on her. 
1st S Well, I suppose my lips will have to fast, 

But wait, another time I'll settle you. 
Mth Thanks! a thousand thanks, my noble youth, 

Some time you'll find me useful as a friend. 

Here, I will be thy prisoner. 

[Takes Eithne's hand, all go off 



I 



SCENE II. — Outside the walls of Armagh. Alayidscape. Irish soldiers 
passing to and fro across. the stage. 

Enter Pauline and Nora O'Connor, l 2nd e. 

Nora Come, Pauline, we must seek some safe retreat, 

Beyond the danger of the cannon's mouth. 

We cannot here remain, for all the field 

Is covered by long files of armed men. 
Pau Then whither will we go? 'tis all alike, 

The hills are guarded by my father's sept, 

While yonder, brave Fitzpatrick forms his men. 
Nora Yes, true, my child, but here comes Mary; see. 

Enter Mary. 

Mary Please, ma'am, can I do anything for ye, you seem as if you 
wanted somebody to console you. 

Nora Do we, Mary? well, I v/ould like to be 

Some place where danger does not visit much. 
Near to O'Connor's sept. 

Mary Very well, ma'am, you jist 

come wid me an I'll put ye in a place where ye'll be as snug 
as a cat by the fire. This way, my lady, this way. (aside) 
Egad, our boys are goin' to give it to thim rascals beyant 
there in the tower, until they bate thira blue, they towld me 
so, so they did. [Exeunt all r. 

(Music outside; full hand playing, ^^ Let Erin remember the days of 
Old." Enter soldiers to music; they halt at center of stage. 

Serg Yonder comes O'Neil our good commander. 

Cheer for him, lads! [.They all cheer; enter O'Neil. 



eithne; or, the siege op armagh. 46 

Brave hearts! brave hearts! 'twould be a lasting sham^ 
To have ye bound in slavery. "^ 

Yea, indeed, 
Nor shall we, while an arm retains its strength 
To strike them down, who desecrate our soil. 
Nobly said! but come, prepare for war. 
Raise the green banner of our sires that hangs 
A weeping vestage of our former pride. 
To ye, my countrymen, it now remains 
To strike the blow for Erin's liberty. 
Lift up the sword still warm with tyrant blood 
And purge our land of English tyrany. 
Show them the fire that burns in Irisli veins! 
When urged by the voice of liberty. God! 
Lend us Thy aid to quench this maddening flame 
Of heresy, that burns our holy soil; 
Grant us the grace of unity and strength. 
And cheer our hearts with early victory. 
[to soldiers.^ Lo! the red flame of war shall gild our vale, 
And baneful monsters roar from hill to hill; 
Therefore bequeath yeur hearts and souls to God. 
Arise ye, then ! rush down upon the fue, 
Nor care for tiame, nor smoke, nor heartless men, 
But scatter them like leaves in autumn blasts; 
Send forth your rage against those massive walls. 
That rear their dark brown forms to guard thy foe; 
Tear them a})art, nor leave one stone erect, 
To blast our memory of the hallowed past. 
Hear! hear! long live our noble Prince. 

Enter tioo soldiers, loith Sbagrave prisoner. 

Here's an English ofiScer, my lord. 
Where did ye find him ? 

On the hill, beyond. 
Minding our business and not his own. 
What shall be done with him, my lord? I think 
He'd make a pretty sight to gaze upon, 
Dangling from the limb of yonder tree. 
Wilt give me chance to free myself? 

Not one. 
I'm speaking to your betters. 

I see y'are. 
But he wouldn't talk to the likes o'you. 
Wilt give me quarter? 

Alas, you've had too much. 
I am a soldier and would die as such. 
If I must die in war time, 

Very well, 
How do you wish to die ? 



,46 EITHNEJ OR, THE SIEGE OP ARMAGH. • 

Sea At the sabre's poiat. 

ON Art thou a swordsman? 

Sea Fit enough for thee, 

Or any man within thy camp. 
O'xY Then come. 

Give him a aword my lads, and let him free; 

This English pride must fall, and so must he. 

[The soldiers unbind Seagrave and give him his choice of a sicord, in 
the meantime O'Neil prfpares/br combat, sloio mnsic whik they pre- 
pare, after which they take their places. 
O^N Well, brave soldier, art thou ready? 
Sea Yes. 

But speak the terms on which we fight? 
O'Y They're yours. 

Name them yourself, you'll find me easily pleased. 
Sea Should I be killed, there is no more about me ; 

But when you fall, ^'reedom must be mine. 
O'iV Thou speakest certain of success. Lead on. 

The terms I well agree with. 

[Music — they fight the duel — lights darken by degrees. (This duel may 
be fought to the actors^ own fancy.) It will be remembered that Sea- 
grave was a larger man than Hdgh O'Neil, and that after some- 
time fighting O'Neil grows exhausted and falls, l. f. ; still retaining 
his sword and parrying the head blows of his combatant; at last 
Seagrave attempts the breast point, but O'N strike's it off, springs 
up, and rushes to opposite side, they both turn and fight again, when 
O'N strikes the sword from Seagrave's hand and stabs him, who 
falls, c. 

Fare thee well, 
Poor fellow, thou hast thy wish. 
Sea And thou hast thine. 

O'iV" Nay, I shall not have my wish, till all 

Thy tyrant crew be wiped from out our land. 

See you that blood-red standard floating there, 

Capping the tall grey tower? Lo! it shall fall; 

And with it every remnant of thy yoke. 

Tyrants ye are no more! [Seagrave dies. 

Come, raise the siege ! 
The ghosts of my dead sires appear before me, 
Urging me on to battle with the foe. 
The hoards of patriots planted in our valleys, 
Give me new courage. See their unsheathed swords 
That glitter in the sunlight, apt to bathe 
Their parched sides with blood of Englishmen. 
These do awaken my heart to its wildest of fury 
And bid me be haste with the battle. 
All Three cheers ! 

[All cheer and go out, leaving the body 0/ Seagrave alone on the stage. 



eithne; or, the siege op armagh. 47 

Entei' Ted, r. 

Ted Whooruche, boys, owld Ireland forever, halloa ! who's this fel- 
low stretched out already? egad, its an English fellow, any- 
how. Oh, musha, now if that ain't the same chap that cap- 
tured the priesht; well, I haven't the laste compassion for 
him at all, at all, the dirty mane blaggard, so he was; 
well, he fell in the wrong place poor fellow, so I have to 
move him out o' this, [catches hold of Seagrave and 
drags him off the stage, r.] 



SCENE III. — Armagh; the fori; soldiers discovered fixing cannon, etc.; 
hurry and hustle; General Norris on the ramparts spying loith glass; 
'' English March -'' played by tlie Band Orchestra; music stops. 

Gen Come to your posts, my men ! and lose no time. 

For all we have we want to get us ready. 

See ye the enemy gathering in the glen '{ 

Those are the troops of O'Neil. Ah, they tire! [guns go off^in 

rear.} War! war! the peal begins. Oh, hear that sound ! 

The cannons stationed on the hills afar 

Thunder the voice of war through iron jaws. 

Peal, on peal re-echos on the air. 

The valley brightens with repeated blasts, 

And hills are buried in a roll of smoke. 

Hear, hear that cry! hark! hark! it is a shout, 

That sounds from out the bosom of the town. 

Prepare, my men, prepare ! to arms ! the foe 

Are even now without our walls ! peal forth 

A flamy welcome from the cannons mouth. 

And send destruction through their midst ! 

[The English fire a gun. 
Ah, well! 

Another, still another one like that. 

Quick, quick 1 Are on ! fire on ! what makes ye stop ? 

Good heavens ! flame up, my men ! once more a round ! 

And give them plenty ! Are ! Well done ! again ! 

The lines are broken, 'tis a lucky hit. 

But keep the fire still raging, ah, they part. 

Yet still they storm us. Now the smoke has risen, 

So densely thick it shuts them from my sight. 

Nathe-less, peal on ! we must not stop. 

[guns fire at intervals. 
Enter a Messenger. 
Mess Where's the General ? 

Gen Here I am ; what now ? 

Mess Good sir, I have unpleasant news to tell. 
Gm Tell it, then. 



i 



48 EtTHNE; OR, THE SIEGE OF ARMAGH. 

jj^QSS And thou wilt not be angry '! 

The fault was none of mine sir, on my faith. 
Grn Out with it, sirrah, whatever it may be, 

Don't keep me waiting thus with idle talk. 
Mens Well, sir, I'm sorry, but the priest escaped, 

And fled away in safety. 
Qfn How comes this ? 

Mess You see, sir, some arch ruffians came disguised 

As English soldiers sent from you to bear 

The prisoner to the fort, as you had said. 

The jailor, not suspecting any trick, 

Let the knave go, and so they all escaped. 
Oen Curses on them and the jailor too ;— 

How came they by the clothes? 
Mess I cannot say, 

Unless they fell upon some passing guard 

And robbed them. 
Oen Nonsense, that cannot ])e so, 

Away with thee, nor bear such news again. 

lEx'd MeSSlONfiER. 

[cannons roar outside, and are responded to hy the English, 
(to Sol.) These Irish rebels hold the valley well : 
The filth and scum of Erin, yet tbey fight 
Like starving wolves. 

Enter Sir John Norris and guard l. 

Sir J Come soldiers, to your posts, 

The foe are gaining ground ; they're in the town, 
Quick, let them have a solid English round. 

[^The English fire cannons; Irish return fire. 

£>?<e?' Herald. 

Her {to Sir John.) A word with you. 

Sir J 111 secret ? 

Her ^^^7 it please, 

'Twere better than to speak outright. 
Sir J What now? 

Rer That woman is below. 

Sir J What woman, Sirrah? 

Her That woman with the daughter of O'Meil. 
Sir J Ay, send her in. 
Her ' I will, my lord. 

Sir J In haste. [^,i'i7 Herald, j 

Oen My God! the foe advance upon our walls. 

They're coming up the heights. 
Sir J Fire on them I 

[T/ie English fire, the Irish return fire and bombshells, balls fly across the' 
stage; a breach is made in the battlements, {constructed of blocks.) 



m 

ALD. I 



eithke; or, the siege of Armagh. 49 

Enter Hagar and Eithne. 

Sir J Ah, you have brought her, 'tis well. My pretty maid, 
Go mount yon walls and wave this flag of truce. 

[ Give^ Eithne flag. 

Eith {throwing flag on floor.) Go be thine own truce bearer, 1 shall 
never 
Raise a hand to stop the flag of Erin. 
Blessed is her cause, and God forbid 
That Eithne, daughter of the brave O'Neil, 
Would stoop for English tyrany. Dost think 
Because I am a maid I fear thy power? 
I, born of Princes, yield to such as thou? 
Never! thou English coward, sooner death 
In any shape, than sell my country. Come, 
Strike me, who will, I'll show an Irish heart. 

Hag And now for my revenge. Come, girl. [seizes Eithne. 

Eitli, Away ! 

Hag Nay, that won't do, I'm stronger far than thou. 

[They icrestle; Hagar draws Eithne up to the battlements, and as they 
appear on top Hagar is shot by a cannon ball from Irish; she falls; 
Fitz.patrick springs over battlements. 

Fitz Siol Erin na gorm lann go bragh. 

[Eithne seizes English flag tears it doion^ and tramples on it. 

Eith There ! so will I do with every flag I see, 

That bears that hated color. Down! down! 
I would it were her Majesty, the Queen. 

[Gen NoKRis rushes at Eithne with dramn sword and thrusts at her; 
Fitz springs before him fends off the blov: and strikes sword out of his 
hand. Enter over the battlements, amid the booming of cannon, 
O'Neil and soldiers; they fight. English are subdued, as curtain 
falls. If curtain rises a second time, it reveals Eithne and O'Neil, 
on ramparts holding the Irish flag; and Sir John Norris a prison- 
er., Lady Norris kneeling by his side. Also, Gen. Norris in a 
similar position with Louise'; the English soldiers lying on the 
floor, Irish above them. Bed fire TABLEAU. 



finis. 



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